Far Infrared Fourier Transform Spectrometer for Undergraduate Physics Experiments

用于本科物理实验的远红外傅里叶变换光谱仪

• 批准号: 0088205
• 负责人: Virginia Long
• 金额: $ 5.5万
• 依托单位: Colby College
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2000
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2000-09-15 至 2002-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0088205&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Far; Infrared; Fourier; Transform; Spectrometer

Physics (13) The motions of atoms within a molecule or a crystal lattice constitute one of the most fundamental physical phenomena of multi-atom systems, yet few undergraduate physics curricula include experimental studies of vibrational properties. Modern spectrometers can measure frequencies into the far infrared using the Fourier Transform method and are well suited to operation by trained undergraduates. In this project, students are using a far infrared (FIR) Fourier Transform (FT) spectrometer in undergraduate physics experiments, so that they will become familiar with this important technique and see basic physics concepts brought to life. The spectrometer is being used to enhance the laboratory component of the Modern Physics course, to overhaul the Experimental Condensed Matter Physics course, to expand the number of student-faculty research projects, and to engage in collaborations with the Chemistry Department. Students are progressing from studying vibrations of diatomic molecules in the gas phase, to vibrations of large fullerene cages imbedded in a molecular solid, to phonons in simple ionic crystalline lattices. The second year Modern Physics laboratory is incorporating an expanded version of a classic experiment in rotations and vibrations of gas phase HCl. The dual far and middle infrared capability of the instrument allows students to observe excitations of pure molecular rotations at low frequency, and recognize them again as fine structure on top of vibrations in the middle infrared region. Two experiments in FIR vibrational spectroscopy are effecting a major revamping of the advanced Experimental Condensed Matter Physics course. The first, adapted from the research literature and the undergraduate work of students at the L. Eotvos University and the Technical University of Budapest, demonstrates the central role of symmetry in determining vibrational properties of pristine and photo-polymerized c60. The second, based on an experiment that was recently implemented at Reed College, connects a simple 1D lattice dynamics calculation to the observation of optical phonon modes in a real physical system. Another goal of this project to take advantage of an opportunity to reach an unprecedented number of women physics majors at Colby, as indicated by pre-registration numbers for the fall 2000 Modern Physics course. By providing an exceptional undergraduate program of experimental physics, we hope to further the careers of these young women, inspire them to become role models for others, and maintain a critical mass of women in the program. Evaluations of the project will consider specifically their impact on female students as well as on student learning in general. Students will disseminate the results at conferences for undergraduates, and in education or research journals, as appropriate for the work.

原子在分子或晶格中的运动构成了多原子系统最基本的物理现象之一，但很少有本科物理课程包括振动性质的实验研究。现代光谱仪可以使用傅里叶变换方法测量远红外频率，非常适合受过训练的大学生操作。在这个项目中，学生们在本科物理实验中使用远红外（FIR）傅里叶变换（FT）光谱仪，以便他们熟悉这一重要技术，并看到基本的物理概念。光谱仪被用来增强现代物理课程的实验室组成部分，以彻底改革实验凝聚态物理课程，扩大学生教师研究项目的数量，并与化学系合作。学生们正在从研究气相中双原子分子的振动，到嵌入分子固体中的大型富勒烯笼的振动，再到简单离子晶格中的声子。第二年现代物理实验室将一个经典实验的扩展版本纳入气相HCl的旋转和振动。该仪器的双重远红外和中红外功能使学生能够观察到低频纯分子旋转的激发，并将其再次识别为中红外区域振动之上的精细结构。两个实验在远红外振动光谱影响先进的实验凝聚态物理课程的重大改造。第一部分改编自研究文献和L. Eotvos大学和布达佩斯技术大学的研究表明，对称性在确定原始和光聚合的c60的振动特性中起着核心作用。第二，最近在里德学院实施的实验的基础上，连接一个简单的一维晶格动力学计算的光学声子模式在真实的物理系统的观察。 该项目的另一个目标是利用这个机会使科尔比物理专业的女生人数达到前所未有的水平，2000年秋季现代物理课程的预登记人数表明了这一点。通过提供实验物理学的特殊本科课程，我们希望进一步这些年轻女性的职业生涯，激励她们成为他人的榜样，并保持该计划中女性的临界质量。对该项目的评价将特别考虑其对女生以及对学生学习的总体影响。学生将在本科生会议上传播结果，并在教育或研究期刊上，视工作情况而定。